Waterloo LRT construction start set

Construction of Ontario's second light rail transit system, initially set to link the municipalities of Waterloo and Kitchener, will begin Aug. 21, 2014, according to Canadian media.

Groundbreaking for the line, dubbed Ion, initially was set for June 27, 2014. The C$1.9 billion (US$1.7 billion) design, build, operate, and maintenance (DBOM) plan was awarded last March to the GrandLinq consortium. Ion will employ Bombardier Flexity Freedom light rail vehicles, similar to those being used on Toronto's outer LRT (non-streetcar) lines.

Road closures caused by LRT construction in Uptown Waterloo could last until December, a city councillor said, adding, "It's not going to be easy. Construction sucks. But in the end this is going to make uptown a much more vibrant place."

Cambridge, Ont., a third city in the Region of Waterloo, initially will be served by a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, though city officials have urged Region of Waterloo officials to add the city to the LRT system more quickly.